Nintendo of America has announced that Doug Bowser will retire as its president and chief operating officer on 31 December 2025, after more than a decade in multiple leadership positions.
He will be succeeded by Devon Pritchard, who the company describes as “a 19-year veteran of the video game industry and long-standing member of the Nintendo of America leadership team.” She has held executive positions in marketing, business affairs and publisher relations, and currently serves as Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of revenue, marketing and consumer experience.
In addition, Satoru Shibata will join Nintendo of America as chief executive officer, while continuing his roles as managing executive officer and corporate director, member of the board at Nintendo Co. Ltd. (NCL). Pritchard will also join the NOA Board of Directors and become an NCL Executive Officer.
In his “distinguished tenure” at the company, Doug Bowser helped to launch Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 in the Americas, and helped it achieve “significant expansion into entertainment ventures such as theme parks and films.”
Commenting on his upcoming departure, Doug Bowser shared: “One of my earliest video game experiences was playing the arcade version of Donkey Kong. Since that time, all things Nintendo have continued to be a passion for both me and my family. Leading Nintendo of America has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am proud of what our team has accomplished in both business results and the experiences we’ve created for consumers.
“Now, it’s time for the next generation of leadership and Devon’s track record speaks for itself. She is an exceptional leader, and her promotion is a testament to her strong performance and strategic contributions to the company’s growth. I have full confidence that she will guide the company to even greater heights.”
Devon Pritchard adds: “I am humbled and excited to take on this new role. Doug has been a fantastic mentor, and I look forward to building on the incredible foundation he has helped establish. With characters and worlds that offer something for everyone, my focus will be continuing to build on Nintendo’s legacy of surprising and delighting our longtime fans, while at the same time welcoming new players into the Nintendo family.”
NCL president Shuntaro Furukawa thanked Bowser for his contributions: “During his tenure, Doug made numerous contributions to bring smiles to the faces of people connected to Nintendo. I would like to express my gratitude for his strong efforts. Devon, who will become the next president, has also made many contributions to Nintendo over the years. I am confident that, like Doug, Devon will continue to support Nintendo’s important mission of creating smiles.”
